Travelogue: Australia part one – Sydney – by Sarah Arnoff

My husband and I are neither whimsical nor methodical about where we decide to travel. Perusing Google Maps is a favorite pastime and many of our decisions are based on a “what have we never seen before?” school of thought.

I was drastically close to booking tickets to Europe last spring when I stumbled upon a ridiculously good fare to Australia, so we made a sharp left and ended up spending two weeks on the opposite side of the world.

Sydney Opera House from ferry

Sydney

We began and ended in Sydney, where rain was a major theme. After the first day of trudging through puddles and light showers, I was beginning to regret lugging along my giant Mamiya 645 paired with my delightfully compact Zenobia C folding camera, but once I got into the rhythm of shooting, the weight didn’t really bother me much.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera house

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Neither of us is a stranger to culture shock, but the lack of barriers here presented us with an unfamiliar travel experience. No language miscommunications, no struggles to accomplish day-to-day tasks–the price of beer was a bit scandalous, but we were able to relax and explore without much burden.

Sydney

Sydney

Barracks Museum

Sydney Opera House from ferry

Manly

We weren’t able to explore all of Sydney’s nooks and crannies during our four-day visit, but we did manage to cross paths with that famous opera house a few times. were christened with our first 100-percent genuine Australian sunburns on a walk from Coogee to Bondi, gorged ourselves at the fish market, and hopped a ferry to Manly and Cockatoo Island. Coming from the desert, commuting by ferry is an attraction all its own.

Ferry to Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island

Clovelly Beach

Coogee to Bondi

Coogee to Bondi

Bondi Beach

Fish Market

Fish Market

Sydney is a wonder, and–like with all cities–I felt like we didn’t quite get our fill, but that just leaves reason to return.

~ Sarah Arnoff

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